The Deputy Minister for Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has officially confirmed that there are ample spaces available to accommodate the entire cohort of 600,714 candidates participating in this year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) across more than 900 Senior High Schools (SHS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Emphasizing the significance of success in the BECE, the Deputy Minister stressed that meeting the requirements of the examination would grant students access to the Free SHS program, a progressive initiative aimed at supporting their educational journey.
This affirmation was made during an interactive session with BECE candidates while they were engrossed in their examination at St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School in Accra.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour, joined by Mr. Stephen Bamfo, the Director of Education for Greater Accra, reassured the candidates of the government’s unwavering commitment to furnishing them with optimal educational assistance.
“Free SHS/Free TVET awaits you, so work hard to benefit from this novel policy and shape your future dreams,” he said.
He encouraged the students with a powerful message, stating, “Free SHS/Free TVET awaits you, so work hard to benefit from this groundbreaking policy and mold your aspirations for the future.”
The Member of Parliament for Assin South additionally advised the candidates to concentrate solely on their own assessments and avoid seeking external aid, as each candidate was presented with a distinct set of questions, despite sharing the same examination environment.
Following a post-monitoring press briefing, the Deputy Minister took the opportunity to dispel unfounded speculations regarding the potential cancellation of the BECE, firmly asserting, “There is no intention or policy to terminate the BECE now or in the near future. Such notions should be dismissed.”
Furthermore, Rev. Ntim Fordjour clarified the crucial role played by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Ghana’s educational advancement, highlighting the continuous allocation of resources to WAEC to facilitate its mandated responsibilities.
Reflecting on WAEC’s supportive contributions, he emphasized, “We consistently allocate funds to WAEC based on their requirements and ongoing initiatives.”
Expressing dismay over a few isolated incidents of misconduct observed at specific examination centers across the nation, the Deputy Minister condemned such actions and pledged strict consequences for those implicated. He believed that the apprehension of some educators underscored the stringent measures enforced to eradicate all forms of exam malpractice.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour’s confidence in the ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the examination process was evident in his remarks, showcasing the government’s commitment to upholding educational standards and promoting a fair and equitable testing environment.